*This is a collaborative guest post
If a website can be likened to the interior of a retail store, its domain name directly equates to its billboard. Much like determining the brand identity of a brick-and-mortar company, deciding upon the best domain name is an important factor if you hope to enjoy success. While there are some technical aspects to consider, you will also need to perform a fair amount of brainstorming. Let’s quickly examine the qualities of a sound domain name before moving on to mention a handful of useful tools which can point you in the right direction.
What’s in a Name? More than You Think!
The majority of marketing experts agree that simplicity goes a long way towards producing a quality name. It should be easy to remember and equally easy to type into an address bar. This type of recognition is essential if you hope to differentiate yourself from the masses. Secondly, try to tie together your current branding with the name in question. It could also be wise to make the name specific to a region or town if you plan on catering to a discrete audience. A handful of other metrics which should be followed include:
- Choose well-known suffixes such as .net or .com for better recognition.
- Make sure that your name is not too similar to that of a competitor.
- When in doubt, look to the Internet for inspiration.
Modern technology has simplified these processes even further. In fact, it is now easier than ever before to buy domain names within only minutes. This will provide you with the actionable insight required to being promoting the products or services that are being offered.
Simplifying the Purchasing Process
Determining the title and personality of your website is one thing. Purchasing a quality domain name from a trusted provider is another subject entirely. It is best to use well-known e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, as you will be able to determine whether or not the name is available in a matter of seconds. Assuming that it has not been taken, the title can be registered with a few simple steps. In the event that another website already possesses the name in question, built-in software algorithms will present you with similar titles. This can also be a great tool to use if you wish to brainstorm further before committing to one name over another.
Many entrepreneurs make the mistake of glossing over the process of choosing a domain name , as they find it less interesting when compared to other actions such as web design or product development. However, the fact of the matter is that a domain name is much like the title of a book. It is meant to generate interest and to attract attention. This is why there is absolutely nothing wrong with spending a significant amount of time during this initial step. It pays to be patient and in this case, a domain name can speak 1,000 words (and many more).